Is increased maternal endothelin-1 concentration associated with neonatal asphyxia and preterm delivery in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy?
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) and fetuin-A concentrations in women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and to determine whether there is any association between these parameters and fetal asphyxia. METHODS: We carried out a prospective case-control study consisting of 32 women with ICP at third trimester of pregnancy and 32 pregnant women without ICP. Blood samples from maternal peripheral venous circulation were collected and ET-1 and fetuin-A levels were determined from the plasma samples. Pulse-wave Doppler and Apgar scores were also recorded. RESULTS: ET-1 concentrations were significantly higher in ICP patients. No difference was observed in fetuin-A levels between the two groups. Six newborns were declared as asphyctic (APGAR score at the 5 min <7). Maternal ET-1 levels did not correlate with the APGAR score at 5 min, total bile acid (TBA) and umbilical artery systolic/diastolic ratio with ICP patients. TBA levels were positively correlated with
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